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Cup SeriesMistake analysis

Connor Zilisch’s Martinsville speeding penalty cost him a third lap

The pass-through penalty added another lap to Zilisch’s deficit. He recovered to the lead lap for the final stage and eventually finished 17th.

By Splitline RacingUpdated

Cup SeriesXfinity 500, Martinsville Speedway

Car 88, ZilischFinished 17th
Car No.
88
Driver
Connor Zilisch
Team
Trackhouse Racing
Finished
17th

What happened

On Lap 65 at Martinsville, Connor Zilisch sped on pit road in Trackhouse Racing’s No. 88. NASCAR assessed a pass-through penalty on Lap 68, sending him back down pit road under green.

What it cost

The penalty cost Zilisch a third lap on Lap 71, after he fell to last the previous lap. The opening stage ran caution-free for 130 laps.

Zilisch said he was back on the lead lap for the final stage. He eventually finished 17th.

What could have been done differently

Zilisch should have kept his pit-road speed within the posted 30 mph limit. Completing the scheduled stop legally would have avoided another trip through the pits while the field stayed at racing speed.

Sources

  1. NASCAR Statistics via Jayski Xfinity 500 Infraction Sheet
  2. NASCAR Running recap: Byron wins Stage 1 at Martinsville; Larson falls a lap down
  3. LASTCAR.info CUP: Josh Bilicki’s worn tires signal mechanical issue near the end of Stage 1 at Martinsville
  4. NASCAR Statistics via Jayski Race Results for the Xfinity 500
  5. NBC Sports What NASCAR Cup drivers said at Martinsville after win by William Byron
  6. Jayski 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway